Re: Captains of Crush gripper challenge
 

Yeah, I'm going to look into getting a hose clamp.

I got some Jumpstretch bands in yesterday. They were perfect for thumb work and "Formulator" style wrist work! I also used them to duplicate sledgehammer type movements and reverse curls. I ordered them before I got into grippers, but am now finding out that they apply very well to grip work and may replace a lot of equipment that I had on my radar to eventually get.

Re: Captains of Crush gripper challenge
 

Still waiting for my grippers.
I want a chinup bar for home and was wondering if anyone could recommend a good one.

This is the one I am considering atm. Or maybe a set of those hanging rings. I'm not sure how much room they require though.

Re: Captains of Crush gripper challenge
 

Wow, that's one hell of a wait Stuey. [img]/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img]

The one you linked looks like there's very little room for your hand or even for your face coming up over the bar before you wind up hitting wood.

The cantilever design apparently works pretty well though. I was thinking of getting one of two similar models myself. Here's some links to one on Amazon and one on New York Barbells. I like the clearance you get on the NY Barbells one, plus it's free shipping. On the other hand, if you look at the multiple places Amazon has the version of the bar I'm linking, you're seeing very good reviews about the high quality of the unit.



http://www.newyorkbarbells.com/02001.html

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...s&n=507846

For what it's worth, the one at your link says it will support up to 340 lbs, the one at Amazon I've seen say it supports up to 300 lbs., and the one at NY Barbells says it supports "any amount of weight," so they're extremely confident about build quality, I guess.

I keep going back and forth between those two, but will probably get the NY one. Right now my ATM card got lost, so I'm out of the internet-buying frenzy for at least a week. [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

Re: Captains of Crush gripper challenge
 

The NY one sure looks like the way to go. Lots of grip choices and enough clearance to allow for a full rep. I'm going to think about it for a day or two but very good chance that's the one I'm getting. Thanks for taking the time to show it to me.

Re: Captains of Crush gripper challenge
 

Stuey do you live in an appartment or a house that maybe has a deck?
If you have the deck option, ropes underneath the deck will give you a better pullup workout as well as grip training.

Re: Captains of Crush gripper challenge
 

I broke both my wrists when I was a kid and I think they've been kinda weak ever since. Do these grippers increase wrist strength a lot as well? I often get a lot of pain in my wrists from lifting.

-SmileyEH

Re: Captains of Crush gripper challenge
 

I have a house but the deck is on the ground level and it can be minus 40 here in winter. [img]/images/graemlins/blush.gif[/img]

I saw your post on rope work in the other thread. Good stuff, I will be sure to try it soon. I'm sure I can figure out a way to set it up somewhere.

Re: Captains of Crush gripper challenge
 

The grippers do work the wrist strength indirectly. I was getting wrist pain in both wrists from some sprains I guess, before I started up on gripper work, and it vanished after doing a few days of gripper work. I had thought it would make it worse, but I was wrong. It will thicken up the tendons and ligaments eventually, too.

Re: Captains of Crush gripper challenge
 

Ok mine finally got delivered today!

I got a #1, the 140lber. I can only get this one to about 1/2 of an inch from being closed. Anyway I am just glad I can finally get started on this.

I also have the #2 and #3, which are 195lbs and 280lbs. I should have ordered the trainer instead. But I think I will be making another order after seeing the catalog they sent. Lots of cool stuff in there I want.

I haven't taken the time to visit the forums you linked earlier, but I will soon so I can get a program set to help me improve.

Re: Captains of Crush gripper challenge
 

Yeah, I finally got mine too and the #1 has me by about 1/8". Humbling stuff, but awesome possibility for growth, eh? [img]/images/graemlins/crazy.gif[/img]

Re: Captains of Crush gripper challenge
 

[ QUOTE ]
Yeah, I finally got mine too and the #1 has me by about 1/8". Humbling stuff, but awesome possibility for growth, eh? [img]/images/graemlins/crazy.gif[/img]

[/ QUOTE ]

When I heard Blarg could not do it I knew it would be hard. I like hard challenges though but I think this will take some time and I don't think I am ever going to be able to close the #3. But only one way to find out.

I like their motto.
Hard work. Persistence. Pain. [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

Re: Captains of Crush gripper challenge
 

Exactly. All three of us are starting at almost exactly the same place, too, so we can encourage each other not to slack off.

Here's something else cool and it should be encouraging. Me, the ectomoroph who has always had a weak grip, got my first #1 on July 12, and got it to 1/4 inch closed, maybe a bit less. Today, 7/27, I was messing around on the #2, and "set" the gripper in my palm with my left hand, and squeezed it just a bit so I could get my pinky on it -- and I got it to around 1/4 inch from closed! That's a HUGE increase in strength in only two weeks!

The funny thing is, I still have trouble on the last 1/8 inch even on the trainer! I really stink in the last 1/8 inch.

But going from 1/4" on the #1 to 1/4" on the #2 in two weeks is something I never dreamed possible! One day, but maybe many, many months out, not in two weeks.

Of course, it's not a close, and a close is what counts, but still...

I think working on negatives and trying to jam as hard as I could with the #2 primed my central nervous system to take a quick step up. My goal gripper was the #1(and still is, actually, since I still usually can't close it), but taking the advice of people on the gripper boards, I did some work on the #2 and it seems to be paying off very quickly.

I highly suggest reading grippermania.com and gripboard.com. The amount of specific knowledge these guys have about strongman sports and gripping equipment and training theories, etc., has really surprised me. There's a lot more to it than I thought, and those forums are really excellent and full of info. Very friendly attitude there too(much more so than here).

Good luck you guys -- do read that stuff, and start squeezin'! [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

Re: Captains of Crush gripper challenge
 

Hey Stuey -- and Subfallen too -- I agree on getting the trainer. You can use it for warm-ups and high rep work, and also to squeeze the hell out of to get some power work in the last 1/8 inch, which is always the hardest part of range, so it needs to be worked a lot.

Basically, it's a good idea to always have one above and one below the one you're really trying to work on closing.

Stuey -- the #3 is going to be a long trip for all of us. To do that, you're so good you're worthy of recognition and certification by Ironmind. It's definitely the kind of thing that could take years. But, the consensus seems to be it's quite doable by anybody, with enough devotion, no matter the body type. Which is pretty cool; you may never be bulked or cut up like a bodybuilder or squatting 1000 pounds like a powerlifter, but apparently gripping is kind enough to be something everyone can do and get extremely strong at.

I like that a lot, and that you don't need a gym or to spend a fortune or a lot of time or anything. Heck, tonight I was doing some grip work while playing poker.

Tried to talk Wacki into it but he shunned me. [img]/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img] Oh well, we'll get more recruits. It's pretty cool that we all started at almost exactly the same strength level at close enough to exactly the same time -- I've just got two weeks on you guys, Stuey and Subfallen.

Martin is way ahead of us, though. He's the elder statesman!

Re: Captains of Crush gripper challenge
 

Good Luck guys.

A few things.

As Blarg knows, the position of the gripper in the hand is very important. Make sure you get the dogleg in the right place.

Read both boards for good gripping info.
Also check out something called J.A.G on the Grippermania board it's an interesting idea that allows micro-loading of a gripper.

Sledge levering is great for hand strength if you have the space. Magnets and nails make good micro loading or just move your hand on the handle.

Lastly don't forget the pinch grip, block weights or thick bar work. This will increase overall hand strength. And pinch grip / thick bar seems to directly translate into sweep strength on the gripper.

Useful Grip Training Article
 

Some interesting stuff that may help you guys. Ignore the half naked guy pics [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]
Grip Training Article

Re: Captains of Crush gripper challenge
 

[ QUOTE ]
Never seen an adjustable one. I've seen all kinds of weird contraptions, though. This regular old familiar design seems to be what people are measuring themselves by these days. I was surprised they were measuring grip strength competitively or working on it so much at all, but apparently it's a big new deal.

I did see some other grippers advertised here and there, with varying loads. Like up or down 10 pounds, etc., more or less harshly knurled grips, whatever. These ones I have are smoothly but well knurled; if you let your fingers or hand skin slip much, you'll definitely feel it, and maybe build up calluses.

[/ QUOTE ]

An adjustable one is the Ivanko. I have it and also a CofC #1. The Ivanko is a much better deal as you can't outgrow it, however, it is pretty big for a gripper.

Ivanko:
http://www.ivanko.com/products/prd_i...ko_gripper.jpg

Re: Useful Grip Training Article
 

Good link, Martin.

Re: Useful Grip Training Article
 

Very good link Martin thanks. I hope I stick with this as I keep reading that great gains are possible in a short period of time if you work hard, smart and consistently over time.

[ QUOTE ]
Almost anyone within a year or two can become almost superhumanly strong in the grip.

[/ QUOTE ]

Sweet.

Re: Useful Grip Training Article
 

Yeah, there are not many physical things that genetics don't draw some really hard limits on, and just having time to train draws strict limits on what you can achieve, too. But grip can be worked pretty quickly and done to high achievement by anyone, and even pretty much on the cheap.

Keep going, all! And tell us of your new grip toys. I think I'm probably done buying for a while. I wouldn't mind one of those Ivanko grippers, but the regular grippers are doing fine by me, and I have lots of other ways to train, so I'm good for a while.

Re: Useful Grip Training Article
 

So Martin, what did you do to mess up your left hand tendons?

Re: Captains of Crush gripper challenge
 

[ QUOTE ]
They make hand grippers now that are really tough -- like, it takes 100 or 280 pounds worth of force to close them, etc.

Anyway, my grip has always been a weak point, so I wanted to challenge myself and improve it.

[/ QUOTE ]

What's da mattah? Da CIA got you pushing too many pencils?

Re: Useful Grip Training Article
 

I have an old injury in the tendons of my left arm. Caused I think by using an EZ bar and possibly by the fact that I was stabbed in that forearm 15 years back and had to undergo a bit of physio rehab.
Anyway I was bending a wrench earlier this year and had incredible pain in the hand, forearm and attachment point on the elbow,since then the tendons have been stuffed. Slowly getting better or so it seems anyway. I make sure I warm it up properly with a rubber ball for high reps before training.

Re: Useful Grip Training Article
 

Ah, well best of luck on that. Bending seems to induce az lot of injuries.

Grats on that gripper you won!

My hand is already getting bigger. And from not being able to get the #1 past somewhat more than 1/4 of an inch from close on July 12, I've now gotten the #2 to 1/8 of an inch! I love how bizarrely fast the growth in hand strength can be.

Re: Useful Grip Training Article
 

Stuey and others, how goes your gripper training?

Re: Useful Grip Training Article
 

Well I was reading on the gripper board how they recommend doing reverse and forward wrist curls and pinch lifts to build a good base before starting hard into the grippers. I have been trying to do these but I can't resist grabbing the grippers at least every 3rd day.

I am seeing improvements already also but I still can't close the #1. Less than 1/8th of an inch with my strong(left) hand but that last part is so hard.

I am also thinking of getting some wire and wire cutters to work that part of the close motion. But have yet to go buy them.

I have managed to strain both of my pinky figures right at the last joint of the pinky. It really freaking hurts so I think I will lay off the grippers till they feel normal again.

I keep the grippers at work and several of my friends have tried them. Only one guy has closed the #1 and he proceeded to close the #2 also. He could not even come close on the #3 though. He was disappointed till I told him how hard it is and how few people can do it. He is a longtime lifter at my gym plus he works everyday with wrenches.

Good fun so far, sorry for the ramble but it is late and I'm tired.

Re: Useful Grip Training Article
 

[ QUOTE ]
I've now gotten the #2 to 1/8 of an inch!

[/ QUOTE ]

I am more than a little impressed with this. I was thinking it would take a year and you already made huge improvements. Anyone who has tried the #2 would be impressed with this. WTG!!

Re: Useful Grip Training Article
 

Thanks! [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img] It's just freaky fast how quickly the hands can develop. I'm pretty stunned at the progress too, but from what people on the gripper boards say, it's not all that unusual to see quick giant leaps. Hands just have incredible powers of adaptation.

On the wrist curls and such, there's an armwrestling craze hitting the grip boards lately, and wrist curls are vital for that sport, so they're getting talked up more, but people generally say that they don't translate at all into gripper work.

People are pushing general foundation laying and rounded hand strength, though, so pretty much any and every hand or forearm exercise winds up getting some sort of at least passing endorsement. And laying a foundation is always a good idea.

But still, it also seems generally agreed that most hand and forearm strength feats and practice create very limited carryover to other ones. People who get into bending for a while, for instance, tend to lose strength on the grippers after a while. And vice-versa.

From what I can tell, it does seem that if there is carryover, it's mostly from pinching to gripping. Pinching builds up the thumb pad a lot, they say, and a big thumb pad is also helpful in gripping. But since pinching takes such a strong thumb and you can still have a comparatively weak thumb even if you're good on grippers, being great on the grippers can still leave you surprisingly ineffectual at pinch work. People concentrating on grip work tend to do special thumb work outside of their gripper work to help balance their hand strength out.

And of course there is extensor work, too.

Hey, don't forget to do alternating hot and cold soaks for your hands and forearms. They do an amazing amount to speed up recovery. That's a key to fast progress.

Re: Useful Grip Training Article
 

[ QUOTE ]
Hey, don't forget to do alternating hot and cold soaks for your hands and forearms. They do an amazing amount to speed up recovery. That's a key to fast progress.

[/ QUOTE ]

I have not even pushed myself hard enough to require them yet. But I better start, I want to be able to close the #1 by the 20th. My buddy is having a stag and the money I could make betting drunk guys that I could close those grippers and they couldn't will make it worth while. [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

Re: Useful Grip Training Article
 

Blarg I just saw I won that gripper. Very cool [img]/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img]
Pinching translates nicely into sweep strength on the gripper or so I find anyway. Making a pinch grip tray like Brookfield describes in his book is an excellent idea. It can be loaded withy anything which is an added bonus.

Re: Useful Grip Training Article
 

Grats to Martin on closing the #3 Captains of Crush gripper and becoming a Certified Captain of Crush!

And he did it with both hands, too. Didn't even look like much trouble for the dude!

Re: Useful Grip Training Article
 

Wow grats Martin!!!
That's 280lbs people.

Re: Useful Grip Training Article
 

I wish. But wrong Martin !!! There is another Martin on both Gripboards. Confusing since we are both in Europe as well. So sorry to disappoint guys. I hope to close the 3 early next year.

Re: Useful Grip Training Article
 

Oh, LOL. I'm surprised they let two people have the same name. How weird.

Re: Useful Grip Training Article
 

There is a Martln, Martin Kotte and me Martin. All live in Europe. Difference between me and them is at least 10 years in age. I'm the oldest [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

Re: Captains of Crush gripper challenge
 

frankly,,,

who cares?

peace

john nickle

Re: Captains of Crush gripper challenge
 

Who cares who cares?

Frankly.

Re: Captains of Crush gripper challenge
 

Follow your dreams, man.

eastbay

Re: Useful Grip Training Article
 

I just received my second order!! I went a little overboard but I would have lost the money if I had moved up limits anyhow! rofl

I got the BOA weighted skipping rope
the Hol-it-up Dumbbell bar
the CC trainer (100lb) and sport (80lb) models
the hand gripper helpers
the expand your hand bands
the eagle loops
the dexterity balls level 1 and 2
and the Mastery of Hand Strength book

Yah I over did it.

I have not been doing much training with the #1 gripper that I had. I could not close it and I hurt both of my pinky fingers by trying to hard to often. That's what I think happened anyway. Both pinkies felt like I severely sprained them for about 5 days after I stopped trying the #1. They almost feel normal now.

I have been doing pinch lifts with some plates I had laying around and some wrist curls also.

I'm happy I got the easier grippers. I can close them for reps and it is much more fun. The #1 was just to hard for me to be trying so often. I will still do negatives with the #1.

I will be taking things slow till I read the book and am sure my poor pinkies have recovered fully. I also need to read those boards more there is so much info there. Just wanted to brag about my new toys and let you all know I'm in for the long haul I'm just slow out of the gate. [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

Re: Useful Grip Training Article
 

[ QUOTE ]
I just received my second order!! I went a little overboard but I would have lost the money if I had moved up limits anyhow! rofl

I got the BOA weighted skipping rope
the Hol-it-up Dumbbell bar
the CC trainer (100lb) and sport (80lb) models
the hand gripper helpers
the expand your hand bands
the eagle loops
the dexterity balls level 1 and 2
and the Mastery of Hand Strength book

Yah I over did it.

I have not been doing much training with the #1 gripper that I had. I could not close it and I hurt both of my pinky fingers by trying to hard to often. That's what I think happened anyway. Both pinkies felt like I severely sprained them for about 5 days after I stopped trying the #1. They almost feel normal now.

I have been doing pinch lifts with some plates I had laying around and some wrist curls also.

I'm happy I got the easier grippers. I can close them for reps and it is much more fun. The #1 was just to hard for me to be trying so often. I will still do negatives with the #1.

I will be taking things slow till I read the book and am sure my poor pinkies have recovered fully. I also need to read those boards more there is so much info there. Just wanted to brag about my new toys and let you all know I'm in for the long haul I'm just slow out of the gate. [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

[/ QUOTE ]

Cool! You really did get lots of stuff. I know the feeling when looking at stuff like that -- real hard not to buy the store! But the nice thing is, it's almost all super durable and will give a lot of value for the money.

I hear the Kinney chapter in the CoC book is very cool.

You really should check the grip boards regularly. The training info and exchange of ideas on them is incredible.

Getting the easier grippers is cool; they'll help you lay a foundation of general strength, and build up the toughness of your soft tissue. That will help prevent future injury. They'll also help you build up vascularity once they get too easy for you, if you do them for high reps, which will help your future increases in strength and hand/forearm mass. Plus, you can file away part of the handles to make them tougher if they ever get too tough. This is for "overcloses," which is a common technique to help people master the last part of the close.

Good luck on your pinkies. Remember to do the contrast baths -- they are astoundingly good for your hands. Really, if you haven't gotten into them -- get into them! It's amazing how well and how fast they work. It's become clear to me that they actually form a central part in gripper training. Don't do them, and you can probably expect to spend at least twice as long on your strength goals. Seriously.

What's that Hol-it-up dumbbell like? I was curious about those, and wasn't really sure from the Ironmind description what it was like.

I've been doing some more higher rep work the last few work-outs, myself. I want to build up some general vascularity, tendon and ligament growth, and soft tissue toughness. Doing negatives on the #2 and #3 can feel like someone is stepping on my fingers and grinding in their heels. I've got to get my skin and nerve endings adapted, and some high rep work could more gently help build that up too. When I do hard negatives, I want to be saying ouch from the muscle and tendon strain, not from the pressure making all the nerve endings in my skin cry for mommy.

Keep plugging away Stuey! Fill us in on how you like your new toys!

Re: Useful Grip Training Article
 

Nice Stuey. You forgot to get an Ivanko Super gripper have to get one of those next time [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img] Enjoy the new toys.